Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Finding Fantastic Fall Foliage

Sometimes you find the most fantastic foliage in somewhat unlikely places ... like in the middle of your local cemetery!

I've known for several years now that some of the prettiest colors can be found on the trees at the Yantic Cemetery here in Norwich and this year has been no exception as you can see from some of the pictures that I took there the other day when Amanda and I stopped by after I picked her up from school following her banner-painting session with the Gia Club.

I had a feeling that even if I couldn't find some eye-popping elsewhere in the local area that I would be able to dig some up at one of my favorite haunts. Sorry, little bit of cemetery humor there - yeah, yeah, very little - sorry!

In addition to there being very colorful trees, these are also some very large trees located in the Yantic Cemetery but chances are that's because they go back to at least 1844 when the cemetery was first established - if not a lot further. They really are beautiful and it's one of the reasons that I really like this cemetery even though it isn't the oldest in town.

As I've said in the past, reading the names on a lot of the stones is like reading a "Who's Who" list of people from Norwich and because a lot of the stones are from the Victorian Era they have a lot of character. Gravestones had become more of an art-form by the time this cemetery was established and some of the stones and markers are truly beautiful in their craftsmanship.

Along with the gorgeous foliage that we got to see while driving through the cemetery we also came across a few feathered visitors that Amanda insisted I take some pictures of and share here as she thought that they were pretty whereas I just find crows to be downright creepy.

Ah well, as they say - "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" and I guess I'm just not surprised that Amanda thinks that crows are beautiful birds. The kid does seem to have rather macabre taste at times I'm afraid! Then again, she does spend a lot of time exploring cemeteries with her mom so I guess it goes to figure!

I'll be at my second job at the Tribe for awhile today but when I get done at noon I'm hoping to get some foliage pictures down near Fort Shantok which is the place where the Mohegan tribe first settled with Sachem Uncas in the 17th Century and very close to here. I'll let you know how that goes!

Beautiful pictures. Very much inspiring to get out and look around before the colors are all gone. Sadly there's not that much red in our neck of the woods, mostly yellow and most have already started to drop. Today is rainy, so that won't help.Thanks for sharing.

Great foliage colors.And I can say I was in that cemetery - as a visitor, not as a permanent resident!:)The crow pics made me smile - I love crows, too - and the ones in the cemetery just were perfect!

Your foliage photos are absolutely amazing...especially those incredibly orange trees. And those gravestones and ravens are certainly perfect for upcoming Halloween. Thanks for reminding me what living in the Northeast is all about.

Great colors in those pics Linda, and I love the clarity of your shots. It's almost like you could reach through the screen and be there!!

The crows made me laugh, because last night before work, I caught the end of a movie on the Sci-Fi Channel, that was much like a modern day version of "The Birds." In the movie, the crows/ravens all lined up on the rooftops, like your picture with the three on the stones. Too funny, and creepy at the same time!

Linda, your photos were fantastic! I do, however, have to agree w/Amanda - the crows were cool! Not only did they lend an eerie, pre-Halloween bent to your "gallery", but they seemed to bring out the rest of your subject matter. Besides, I happen to like 'lil birdies of all types! Keep up the good work.

Thanks for sharing your pictures =) If this is the cemetery that's across from the old Sheraton Hotel- my dad's talked about the crows roosting there since he came to the area in the early 60s. Its safe ground since no one will bother them at night!